In A Link Between Worlds, Link goes on an epic adventure back and forth between the bright, cheerful kingdom of Hyrule and its counterpart, the dark, gloomy Lorule. At first glance, the game isn’t too different from A Link to the Past with the similar maps and location of important places, and even the music draws inspiration from the classic SNES game. The music for Lorule Field sounds very similar to the music that plays in The Dark World, but did you know the game has two versions of it? Let’s listen to them to remind ourselves of the differences.
Before I got to borrow my brother’s copy of A Link Between Worlds, I had yet to play A Link to the Past. But I was familiar with the melody that plays in the Dark World thanks to video uploads I could listen to online, and especially the orchestrated version which was released in time for the Zelda franchise’s 25th anniversary. So I was really excited when I heard the familiar melody as I first stepped into Lorule, and I can only imagine what it must’ve felt like for fans who can remember hearing it when they played A Link to the Past. A Link Between Worlds is filled with Easter eggs, and this melody is just one of them!
The version of Lorule’s main theme players will probably hear the most is energetic and fun with guitar riffs and hand drumming. It’s exciting, stepping into this alternative world of Hyrule for the first time and hearing the first notes play. Sure, it has some dramatic flair to it, but I think it mostly sounds like fun. It’s as if the track encourages the player to explore Lorule, maybe leave some mess behind, and be ready to be spooked. I think the music fits perfectly for what you’re expected to do in a new, yet familiar, world.
Once the player and Link have explored all the of the important locations, there is just one more thing that’s left to do: Make your way to Lorule Castle. This version of the Lorule main theme sounds more serious. Gone are the guitars and instead a thrilling flute and sweeping strings can be heard. There’s a marching beat urging the player and Link to bring an end to this adventure. This one starts similarly to the 25th anniversary orchestra’s take on the Dark World and it sounds, in my opinion, like an updated version to the 1991 classic.
Fans online seem to argue which version of Lorule’s main theme is the best or which does the most justice to the original SNES melody. I think they both suit the game well so I won’t join that discussion as they’re both really wonderful. The Dark World theme which can be heard in one of the medleys included in the 25th anniversary CD might be my favorite of all time (which might have to do with me overplaying it as a teenager), but Lorule’s take on it is creative and fun. If we ever experience an alternate Hyrule again, who knows, maybe we’ll hear the familiar melody again? I wouldn’t mind that at all.
A Link Between Worlds turns 10 years old this November, so be sure to check out our entire collection of articles dedicated to the anniversary of the 3DS classic!
